Sing to the Lord, and praise him! Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us (Psalm 96.2, GNB).

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Opening

Speak these words out loud:

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.

Jeremiah 17.7 (NIV)

Today’s Proverb

Read the proverb through three or four times, slowly. Pause in-between, maybe write it out by hand – savour the words, let them speak deeply to you.

Proverbs 21.4

What is pride? And is it bad?

It’s a curious thing. When I was at primary school in East Hull we were regularly encouraged to ‘take pride’ in our work – by which they meant take it seriously, put effort into it. In TV competitions one of the most common things contestants say is they want to ‘make so-and-so proud’ – usually either their children, or a parent / grandparent. It’s so common to hear we think it’s a good thing to say, but actually it always makes me a little bit sad because it implies they think they have to earn their love or favour in some way; if what my parents and grandparents think of me is entirely dependent upon what I do, then I’m in trouble!

But what about pride in this proverb?

A ‘proud heart’ is one that thinks it is right, that the way it looks at the world is completely right.

A ‘proud heart’ is one that justifies itself while criticising others for doing the exact same thing.

A ‘proud heart’ thinks it doesn’t need to change – that’s what other people need to do.

A ‘proud heart’ is one that doesn’t learn from its mistakes but ploughs on regardless in the field of sin.

Friends, if any of that hits home – even a little bit! – God promises to give us a new heart of flesh, soft and wide-open to receive and share God’s love, ready to receive God’s forgiveness and transformation to be more like Jesus. Thank you, God, for your generosity to us – so freely given, so undeserved!

Prayers

Pray for Five – pray for your five friends / family from Thy Kingdom Come.

Our daily prayer sheet includes the names of everyone for whom we have a signed church family directory form – and local parishes and senior church leaders. Today we are praying for:

Dennis & Dorothy Holland, Frank & Sue Joyce

Father, please bless them with your peace, and a deep awareness of your presence with them, every day and in every way.

We also pray for: Prayer Meetings

Please pray for our leaders and healthcare workers, and all those working to keep us safe, well, and fed. Please pray that people would unselfishly put others before themselves.

Church Family Prayer

Come Holy Spirit,
and make us one in heart and action,
so that we can serve God faithfully:
abounding in love,
maturing in holiness,
and seeking out the lost.
Help us grow as disciples of Jesus –
in commitment, in depth, and in number –
that we may be a blessing to Amington;
to the glory and praise of God the Father.
Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.

Closing Prayer

Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
the only way to the Father.

Psalm 127.1, Hebrews 12.2 & John 14.6

May Christ our Saviour give us peace.
Amen.